Imphal, Nov 26 : The Chandel Naga People's Organization (CNPO) has expressed shock over the inclusion of "Nagas' ancestral territory" in Chandel district in the proposed map of "Kuki state" released by the Kuki State Demand Committee (KSDC).

KSDC's proposed map of "Kuki state" covers the whole of Churachandpur and Chandel districts, Sadar Hills in Senapati and large chunks of land in Tamenglong and Ukhrul.

In pursuit of its demand for creation of a separate Kuki state in Manipur, the KSDC imposed an indefinite roadblock in Kuki-inhabited areas from November 17. It suspended the strike on Thursday evening following an agreement with the state government.

The state government representatives, headed by deputy CM Gaikhangam, said a political dialogue between the 26 Kuki militant organizations, which are signatories of the ongoing Suspension of Operation (Soo) with the government, would be started after Parliament's winter session.

Gaikhangam said a team of central official would be visiting Manipur to chalk out modalities for initiating talks with Soo signatories which are also demanding a separate Kuki state.

On the other hand, the United Naga Council (UNC), of which the CNPO is a constituent unit, is campaigning for an alternative administrative arrangement for the Nagas in Manipur outside the state government pending the Naga political solution.

The CNPO, a conglomerate of all Naga civil bodies in Chandel district, said that it would preserve and defend the Nagas' "ancestral land". During a meeting convened by the CNPO on Thursday, all frontal organizations of Chandel district resolved to defend their land at any cost, a CNPO statement said. Since time immemorial, the Nagas have been living in their respective land and governed themselves with a set of traditional administrative system protecting their right to land, natural resources, custom and culture, the statement said. "There was no contest over our historical land ownership by any other community," it said. tnn